Honda Civic Hatch, Type R,
Odyssey: New For 2009

The Honda Civic Type R has been gifted
with a number of new features for 2009

2009 Honda
Civic Type R

It has won countless awards and scored
an yam-tastic 4.25 out of 5 wombats when it reviewed back in 2007. And
now Honda has made a few changes to the 2009 model Civic Type R to
increase its appeal.

There is a new colour to choose from
(white) and a limited slip differential has been squeezed in, which in
theory should make it go quicker round corners. The
updated 148kW hot hatch also gets a tyre
deflation warning system, rear parking
sensors, an auxiliary jack and a USB port so you can listen to obscure
slam poetry from an MP3 player. The new model went on sale in early
March 2009, and is priced at $41,990.

-
Jay Williams

The 2009 Honda Odyssey has a sporty new look

Melbourne,
Australia–Honda
launched two new models at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show,
including an update of its Odyssey people mover and a new Civic hatch.

The Honda Civic Si hatchback model is due to be
launched in Australia in April 2009, and the updated Honda Odyssey will
be on sale 'soon' according to the Japanese importer.

Pricing for both models will be announced closer
to their launch.

First the 5-door Civic hatch, which was first seen
in Australia for a few years in the form of the Civic Type R,
which is one of our favourite hot hatches.

Though it doesn't have the ripping 148kW, 8200rpm
2.0-litre from the Type R, the new Civic hatch does have its good looks.

The peculiar-but-sleek body shape of the Civic
hatch gives it a unique appeal and at first glance has the appearance
of a 3-door hatch thanks to the clever placement of its rear door
handles in the C-pillar.

Visual features like the futuristic translucent
grille, the rocket-shaped front door
handles and a vast glass area give the Civic hatch a distinctive look.

Inside, the Civic Si is quite prestigious with
leather seats, dual zone climate-controlled
air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors and a tilt-telescopic
steering column for a comfortable driving position. It also gets the
push-button motor starter from the Civic Type R.

Power will come from a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder i-VTEC
engine that will drive the front wheels through a 6-speed
manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.

Peak power is 103kW and torque of 174Nm will get
the Civic hatch moving, while ABS, EBD, brake assist and stability
control will ensure it stays glued to the road.

The engine is also Euro IV compliant, can run on
91 RON fuel and is more efficient than some diesel engines, sipping as
little
as 5.7L/100km.

Built in the UK, the new Honda Civic Si hatch will
be on sale in April 2009.

Alongside the new Civic Si hatch and Type
R, the new 4th generation Odyssey was unveiled at the 2009 Melbourne
International Motor Show.

On top of a subtle new design, improvements to
engine engine power and safety systems are expected to reignite sales
in the Odyssey, which is the only vehicle in the history of the
Australia's Best Car Awards to be win its category four years in a row.

Honda says the updated 4th generation Odyssey
'doesn't look or feel like a people-mover' and has a driver-focussed
cockpit to ensure whoever is in command will feel like they're driving,
well, anything but a people mover.

With seating for seven people, the new people
mover makes safety a priority with 3-point lap-sash seatbelts in all
positions, front, side and full length curtain airbags covering all
passengers, and a range of driving aids such as vehicle stability
assist.

Combined with VSA, Honda explains that the all-new
Odyssey has Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) that detects
instability in slippery conditions during cornering and braking. In
these instances it can automatically initiate steering inputs
aimed at assisting the driver to steer in the correct direction.